Policyholders are way too trusting. Most people will rely on their insurance company adjuster to visit their home, inspect the damages of their claim, and provide a final claim settlement for their damages. If you could obtain the most valuable insurance advice of all time, it would be to… NEVER ALLOW THIS TO HAPPEN!

I’m not saying that there are no good adjusters out there and that they can’t be trusted, not at all. There are many excellent adjusters that do an excellent job. However, are you under the delusion that they will never make a mistake, miss hidden damages, or that they all have multiple years of experience? Not a chance.

Have you ever obtained a second opinion before having a mechanic do major work on your car? Have you, or anyone you know, ever secured a second opinion before having surgery? A second opinion when hiring a landscaper, when buying a computer, or when hiring a contractor? Have you ever obtained more than one estimate to have work done on your home? Excuse me for assuming that you’ve answered a very loud and proud “YES,” to more than one of these questions, or all for that matter. Then why will policyholders (homeowners and business owners) allow the insurance company’s adjuster to out-right “TELL THEM,” what the damages of their insurance claim will cost without looking into themselves?

Most insurance adjusters have learned how to pass an insurance claim exam and learned how to use an insurance estimating program… but have never worked on an insurance repair job. Many have never built or repaired a home, nor have they ever worked for any type of Construction Company. Chances are they will miss something needed to properly complete the repairs of your claim.

Let’s face it, no one needs insurance advice to realize that it’s YOUR property, it’s YOUR insurance policy, and it’s YOUR responsibility to protect yourself. Again, your adjuster may be dead on with his/her analysis. Regardless, you should have a contractor or insurance claim professional provide you with a detailed, line item insurance claim estimate to compare with the insurance company’s estimate.

What Qualifies As A Line-Item, Detailed Insurance Claim Estimate?

Sometimes a contractor will use a complete sf price for a roof or deck, but the insurance company is requesting the estimate be broken down per line item. Using the roof example; the insurance companies want to see each process of the roof replacement, AND each type of material being used on the roof – listed separately. Here’s an example; [I:http://www.allinsuranceleads.net/wp-content/uploads/2010/03/JoeBrennan0.gif]

Although the numbers in the example are fictitious; it shows the basis for a Line Item, Detailed, Insurance Claim Estimate. Each of the line-items has been separated in complete detail. The estimate also breaks-down the descriptions, quantities, unit costs, and totals for each item as well. This type of detail is required and needed, so the insurance companies can compare each of the items unit costs with their adjusters numbers. Submitting the claim estimate in the format requested by your insurance company will result in a much faster settlement of the claim.

In events when their is an insurance dispute; by issuing the more detailed estimate provides a much smoother, less time consuming process. It’s more difficult for your insurance company to dispute a insurance claim estimate that was presented to them in the format that they have requested.

Watch out for yourself, protect and educate yourself, and always seek insurance advice by obtaining a second opinion. This should be the first thought on any and all insurance claim damages you happen to incur. If you fail to look out for yourself… Nobody Will?

Joe Brennan is President and owner/operator of Insurance Claims Group, Inc., a national independent adjusting, appraisal, and umpiring firm. We will answer your claim questions FREE – Ph: 919-669-9111 . Get Insurance Advice , by visiting http://www.insuranceclaimsgroup.com , or http://www.insuranceappraisalumpire.com

categories: insurance advice,homeowners insurance claims,business insurance claims,insurance,homeowners,business,finance